QO100_Transceiver

QO-100 Software Transceiver using an Adalm-Pluto and an SBC (Raspberry, Odroid ...), also works on Linux-Desktop PCs

This project is a fully functional software based transceiver for QO-100

Version Status:\ V1.0 ... May, 28 2021 ... Now fully working, Setup via Setup Menu.\ V1.1 ... May, 31 2021 ... Pluto USB/ETH setup, speech compressor\ V1.2 ... June, 2 2021 ... Audio Filter, Muting, new user interface\ V1.4 ... June, 6 2021 ... calibration for Pluto and LNB\ V1.5 ... June,11 2021 ... Major Upgrade (!) PLEASE CHECK YOUR SETUP (frequencies have been changed)\ V1.6 ... June,12 2021 ... various bug fixes (Sound card name, now working on 64bit Raspi)\ V1.63 .. June,16 2021 ... new settings: Pluto TX power, Screen Size\ V1.64 .. June,17 2021 ... many more Screen Sizes, new languages\ V1.66 .. June,25 2021 ... cleanup in the GUI, new RX/TX QRG settings, now usable also by touch screens. Stores RX-to-TX offset.\ V1.67 .. June,28 2021 ... first version which officially runs on Rapberry PI-3B+ (choose smaller screen size i.e. 1024x768, and disable beacon lock (important !) the lock symbol must show "FREE"). Also works on Orange PC+. \ V1.67 .. July,19 2021 ... Install files updated\ V1.68 .. July,26 2021 ... PTT control implemented, needs F5OEO firmware 2021 or later (version from 2019 does not work ! Pluto Rev.C needs also a patch)\ V1.69 ...August, 9 2021 ... rotary enocder for raspberry (frequency and RX volume), details see documentation\ V1.70 ...August, 23 2021 ... new screen size 1600x1050, 800Hz Test Tone (see left buttons), PTT output (and input), Mute input on Raspi GPIO, changes in installation scripts\ V1.71 ...September, 14 2021 ... HF-Loop corrected, Level (dB) display, Auto-QSO-Sync (see Setup), Microphone TX levels modified to avoid splatter\ V1.72 ...September, 18 2021 ... new AUDIO menu, new AGC, allows full output even with weak microphones\ January 13, 2022 ... modified installation procedure to get it running on raspberry OS "bullseye"\ V1.73 ...April, 2 2022 ... when restarting: uses last RX/TX qrg. This makes it easier to continue a QSO if the software was stopped or crashed.\ V1.73a...November, 16 2022 ... extended the install script for the ubuntu version vanessa. The TRX is the same as 1.73, just the installation has been extended.\

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Hardware requirements

Pluto SDR (connected via USB or Eth/USB Adapter)
SBC like Raspberry PI-4, Odroid C4, Odroid N2 or Desktop-PC (Debuian based, Ubuntu, Mint...) and many others
USB sound stick (if the SBC does not have a microphone connector)
Satellite-Dish, QO-100 Feed and 2,4 GHz Amplifier (i.e. Amsat-DL 46dB Amp)

Documentation

this software was developed for Amsat-DL. You can find the detailed documentation in the Amsat-Wiki: http://wiki.amsat-dl.org/doku.php?id=en:plutotrx:overview

Installation

The complete installation (and upgrading) is done by one single install file: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/dj0abr/QO100_Transceiver/main/install

(no need to clone this github project, all is done automatically by this install file)

open a terminal and run these commands:

wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/dj0abr/QO100_Transceiver/main/install
chmod 755 install
./install

that's all. There is nothing more to do than to run this install file.

The install script was made for debian/ubuntu based Linux systems. If you are using another system then please do these steps manually:

clone this project
in the script QO100_Transceiver/sctipts/prepare_ubuntu_pluto look for the installation of several libraries and install them for your OS.
Install the latest version of the mono project (see prepare_mono as an example)
make clean and make the transceiver software

run the software

the software has two parts:

trxdriver .... this is the part doing all the work, without the GUI\ trxGui.exe ... the user interface

After installation both files are located in the folder\ .../QO100_Transceiver/Release

Additionally a start script was created

start the software by entering: ./startQO100trx

this opens the user interface and automatically starts the background jobs

configuration

click the SETUP button

enter how the pluto is connected
choose the sound device where microphone and loud speaker are connected
enter the correct RX and TX frequencies. See the examples on the screen.

Audio on Raspberry PI OS:

Raspi OS shows many many audio devices nobody really needs.\ It is highly recommended to choose Pulseaudio for loudspeaker and microphone and then use the sound mixer pavucontrol (is installed) to select devices and control volume.

Linux OS issues

In general this software runs on all linux distributions. The script prepare_ubuntu_pluto contains the installation for all required libraries.

But different distributions may use different names for their libraries. The script was developed for Ubuntu based systems, like Ubuntu, Mint, Raspbery-OS and many others.

If you try to run prepare_ubuntu_pluto on different platforms like Suse, Fedora... you maybe need to change the name of some libraries.

dj0abr / QO100_Transceiver

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